Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Luo Qianyu felt as if all the air in his lungs had been swept away, his mouth filled with the other's clear, sharp, and overpowering scent. Only when Wen Yu drew back slightly did he abruptly turn his face away.

A glistening silvery strand at the corner of his lips broke with the movement, falling onto his lapel. He forgot to wipe the corner of his mouth, his breaths coming in shaky, barely perceptible pants.

He lowered his eyes, reaching out to grasp Wen Yu's hair as it slipped through his fingers. He went still, his lashes unmoving. "No... Wen Yu."

A low, hoarse voice murmured by his ear, carrying a warm, damp breath. Wen Yu actually lowered his head to kiss the side of his neck. "Why not?"

Luo Qianyu's struggle paused. The last shreds of his rationality made him try to put on the airs of a young master, but his imposing manner grew weaker by the moment. "I am the master, you are the guard... How dare you hold on and not let go? Such audacity! This is insubordin—"

The trailing sound was abruptly choked off in his throat.

Wen Yu had somehow captured his earlobe in his mouth, the light, nibbling bites carrying a tingling itch that instantly shattered his feigned composure.

The strands tangled tighter in his grasp. The soft, wet sounds mixed with the numbing itch at the tip of his ear made him unable to hold back any longer. A fragmented, low moan escaped his lips.

His eyelashes trembled, and soon, even his shoulders were dusted with a faint blush.

In the subsequent haze of sleep, Luo Qianyu only felt time stretch on endlessly, his consciousness like fine, dense sand, muddled and confused.

Though he hadn't truly fallen asleep, when drowsiness washed over him, it still made the youth lower his eyelids. In his dazed state, he only felt the night spread before his eyes, as if everything had quieted down. Yet occasionally, a sliver of light would seep through, but he was, frustratingly, kept from sleeping.

He could only instinctively clutch his lapel. Trying to turn his head aside was futile. He gritted his teeth, his eyelashes casting a crescent shadow on his eyelids.

Finally, when sleep arrived, drowsiness swept over him so completely he lacked even the strength to lift a hand. His head rested against the other's neck and shoulder, his eyelids heavy as if weighted with lead.

Wen Yu's breathing was close by his ear, enveloped by the familiar scent.

But in the end, he could hold on no longer. His consciousness relaxed and plunged into darkness.

.

The Young Marquis was awakened by the morning light filtering through the window lattice.

The youth opened his eyes, blinking blankly a couple of times before finally emerging from his daze.

As he sat up, the quilt slid off him. He looked down—the clothes on his body didn't seem to be his own; they were a bit larger than his usual ones.

He instinctively pulled the lapel together, looking around in confusion.

...Huh?

This wasn't the Eastern Palace.

Nor was it his own bedroom.

The furnishings were simple and clean, yet everywhere bore traces of unfamiliarity. When his gaze fell on the window, the youth was even more stunned. Hanging on the bamboo pole outside was the brocade robe he wore yesterday, and next to it, his undergarments—all freshly changed.

What happened last night?

Where is this place?

His memory refused to return. Suddenly, however, an inexplicable daze made him prop himself up. Without much thought, his gaze instinctively followed. Even if he were slow, his vision wouldn't lie. He soon realized with astonishment what had happened.

Although the fabric on his body was dry and comfortable, this unusual sensation brought him up short, with a gut feeling he could hardly ignore.

It felt a bit like... something wasn't quite right.

"?"

Luo Qianyu's face paled bit by bit. He abruptly threw off the quilt and got out of bed. The moment his heels touched the ground, he staggered, as if stepping on cotton, somewhat unsteady on his feet. That momentary pause only confirmed his earlier suspicion.

And upon closer look, wasn't this Wen Yu's residence?

Damn...

It can't be.

Absolutely impossible!

He steadied himself against the desk, standing firm. His gaze turned to the bronze mirror. The youth in the mirror didn't look well, his lips swollen with an abnormal redness, lacking the usual air of unrestrained flamboyance.

Fragments slowly pieced together, all pointing to one conclusion.

...

Oh no.

It's all over.

Completely ruined.

...

He had slept with the protagonist shou!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luo Qianyu's gaze slid down his neck, then abruptly fixed. On the left side of his neck, a faint red mark was clearly visible, its shape distinct—it was a bite mark.

The edges were even tinged with a few ambiguous light pink spots.

He rubbed his thumb over it. It hurt a bit. The person who bit him must have used force. Yet an absurd thought popped into his mind at an inappropriate time.

...It must have been because he was too fierce in bed, and the protagonist shou couldn't take it anymore and bit him.

Was he an animal?

Last night, after the capping ceremony concluded, his attempt to drug someone failed. He had no choice but to follow the guiding eunuch back to the Eastern Palace to change clothes. Suddenly, he felt his whole body go weak, unbearably hot and restless. In the end, unable to withstand the effects of the alcohol, he completely passed out.

The wine he drank earlier had all been diluted with water; only the one from the Princess was stronger. But that wine's potency shouldn't have been so overpowering. The so-called "losing control after drinking" was nonsense to begin with. If he were truly drunk to the point of unconsciousness, how would he have had the strength to do anything to anyone else? It was merely an excuse to hide behind alcohol.

Thinking about it now, that cup of wine was most likely tampered with.

He had previously lost a grain of aphrodisiac. It now seemed highly probable that the Princess had slipped it in when toasting, and that grain of medicine was also taken by the Princess.

And Wen Yu? Why was he at Wen Yu's place?

...

Wen Yu brought him back.

What happened afterward goes without saying.

Where is Wen Yu?

Did he flee in panic?

Luo Qianyu's heart was collapsing; his world had fallen apart. He had thought himself a gentleman of integrity, an unequivocally straight man. Who would have thought he couldn't resist temptation? Not resisting was one thing, but to be so unrestrained... actually keeping the protagonist shou up all night?

In the original book, even if the Young Marquis had malicious intentions, they were limited to kissing and hugging, never progressing to the final step. Strictly speaking, they were still pure and innocent.

How could things have turned upside down overnight?

Luo Qianyu seized the moment while the courtyard was empty and sneaked straight back to the mansion, only to find Wen Yu was not in the residence. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But then it suddenly struck him—the clothes drying outside the window earlier were clearly washed, the wrinkles all smoothed out. This clean robe he was wearing must have been put on him by Wen Yu as well. If Wen Yu had run off in disgrace, why bother with all this effort?

An empty feeling welled up in his stomach, and it let out an untimely growl. At this hour, the Young Marquis would usually have already eaten breakfast—he never skipped a meal. Going hungry for too long made him uncomfortable, a fact Wen Yu knew all too well.

Was it possible Wen Yu, seeing he hadn’t woken up yet and fearing he’d be hungry, went out to buy breakfast?

...Wen Yu was truly pitiful. Made a mess of and manhandled by him like that, yet still quietly washing those embarrassing clothes, changing him into clean robes, and even buying breakfast for him. Was he even human?

With this thought, guilt surged up like a tide.

...

What’s done is done.

He had to take responsibility for the protagonist shou.

.

As Luo Qianyu changed into his own clothes, he suddenly noticed a small figure tagging along at his heels.

The Young Marquis looked down and saw it was Yunshan.

Not long after he took off the white silk bandage from his eyes, this little wolf had been sent back from the palace.

The moment his gaze swept over it, the young man couldn’t help but pause, his eyes showing surprise as he bent down to pick up Yunshan.

"Hmm?"

He hadn't realized it until now, but in just over a month, the little wolf had grown so much?

He hefted it in his hands. Ordinary animals at this stage would still be in the mewling cub phase, but Yunshan was already the size of an average dog, occasionally even pricking up its ears.

How big was it going to get?

Gazing at the little wolf’s pale blue eyes and its cloud-like, silver-white interwoven fur, Luo Qianyu grew more and more amazed. This little wolf was truly beautiful—beautiful yet exuding a dashing aura.

Truly worthy of being the most mysterious and rare species of the Northern Frontier.

Its temperament had also grown increasingly steady. Even after being held up for so long, it didn’t mewl or struggle. Instead, it looked back at him with its pale, clear blue eyes.

The young man couldn’t help but whisper, "Yunshan, when I make my escape in the future, come with me."

Being alone versus having an Arctic Wolf by his side—that was a world of difference.

The circumstances would be entirely different.

Whether the little wolf understood or not, it only licked the tip of his nose.

"Alright, alright, since you can’t talk, this young master will take that as a yes," Luo Qianyu chuckled softly.

The Young Marquis set the little wolf down and turned back toward Jinlin Courtyard, with Yunshan following closely behind, never leaving his side.

Not long after, Zhao Nian, hearing that the Young Master had returned to the mansion, casually asked, "Young Master, are you still attending today’s official appointment ceremony? His Majesty has already granted permission, saying since your injuries have only recently healed, it would be permissible for you not to attend..."

"I’m going! I’ll go!"

The young man’s voice came from inside the room, almost eager. "I’ll change now. You go prepare the carriage."

Zhao Nian: "?"

Inside the carriage.

Zhao Nian held the gift list, going over it item by item: "Young Master, the jade belt buckle and brocade-patterned boots are all prepared. Once you enter the palace, follow the Ministry of Rites’ guidance..."

The Young Marquis gazed out the window, the incessant chatter in his ears going in one ear and out the other.

Luo Qianyu’s thoughts were elsewhere. After a long silence, he couldn’t help but interrupt, hesitantly asking in a low voice, "Zhao Nian, what... what do you think of Wen Yu?"

"What do I think?" The question was indeed abrupt. Zhao Nian frowned slightly, but his tone was resolute, without a hint of hesitation: "...That person’s behavior is erratic, his thoughts are deep and cunning! I’ve dealt with him a few times—he harbors ill intentions, his conduct is improper, and he’s definitely not a good sort. In my opinion, he should be expelled from the mansion immediately!"

He looked up and asked, "Young Master, what’s wrong?"

Luo Qianyu: "..."

Are we talking about the same Wen Yu?

"...It’s nothing."

Luo Qianyu opened his mouth as if hesitating, then finally said after a long pause, "...It’s like this. I have a friend who, a few days ago, lost control after drinking and had a... well, a wild night with Wen Yu. I heard he really gave him a hard time. Now he feels guilty. How should he take responsibility?"

Zhao Nian shot up, banging his head against the roof of the carriage with a thud, and exclaimed excitedly, "Young Master, you’re that friend!"

The Young Marquis jolted, quickly reaching out to pull him down and press him back into his seat: "I’m not!... What, what are you so worked up about? Sit down!"

Zhao Nian sat back down, but the excitement in his eyes didn’t fade in the slightest. Clenching his fist, he said, "I knew it! What did he do to you, Young Master? I knew that scheming fellow would make a move on you sooner or later!"

"Keep your voice down!" Luo Qianyu covered his mouth, both angry and helpless. "What nonsense are you talking? It wasn’t him... my friend harboring ill intentions toward me. It was my friend who messed up after drinking and took advantage of him."

Zhao Nian seemed unconvinced: "It really isn’t you, Young Master?"

Luo Qianyu put on a stern face and shook his head: "Of course it’s not me."

Zhao Nian stared at him for a moment. Seeing the young master’s expression didn’t seem fake, he slowly reined in his shock and suspicion. After pondering for a while, he said seriously, "Since it was a drunken mistake, the first thing to do is ask the other party what they want. Your friend must have some influence, right? Does he want monetary compensation, or does he need to do something practical to settle this? If neither of those works, then be good to him and make up for it slowly. Whatever you do, don’t let it escalate to reporting to the authorities. It wouldn’t sound good if word got out."

Luo Qianyu murmured, repeating, "Be good to him?"

"Yes," Zhao Nian nodded. "People’s hearts are made of flesh. If you treat him sincerely, he’ll eventually let go of his resentment."

How to be good to Wen Yu?

Luo Qianyu frowned deeply. In the past, he had indeed been shameless toward Wen Yu—not only giving him no good looks but even scolding him when slightly displeased. Now that he wanted to change, he couldn’t think of a single way.

The young man hesitated and asked, "Would indulging him count as being good to him?"

Zhao Nian was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Of course it counts."

...

The Young Marquis entered the palace.

Standing among the crowd at the foot of the steps, the Chief Eunuch held a tally and announced loudly. The Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua were each conferred their titles in turn. Having never held much expectation for any official position, the Young Marquis lowered his gaze and stood quietly, his thoughts drifting far away.

When it was his turn, he heard the announcer call out clearly: "Second-Class Jinshi Luo Qianyu, step forward to receive the decree!"

Luo Qianyu paused, then stepped forward as instructed, kneeling and bowing his head.

The eunuch unfurled the bright yellow imperial decree, his sharp voice piercing through the hall, clearly reaching every corner: "By the decree of Heaven and the mandate of the Emperor: Second-Class Jinshi Luo Qianyu, born of a noble lineage, ambitious and far-sighted, well-versed in classics and history, with exceptional talent and knowledge. Having come of age with integrity and upright character, he is hereby appointed as Assistant Censor of the Censorate, rank 5b. So decreed—"

Hmm?

Assistant Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate?

He had thought the best outcome would be entering the Hanlin Academy, first becoming a Hanlin probationer, putting in some time before being appointed to sinecures like Compiler or Reviser. He never expected to enter the Censorate!?

His mind raced, somewhat chaotically, over this official position, but he vaguely remembered Zhao Nian mentioning a thing or two about it—

Something about "supervising all officials, impeaching the unlawful, discerning injustices, overseeing various circuits."

In simpler terms, it was the court's "censor."

Back then, he hadn't been able to follow Zhao Nian's pedantic explanations. Zhao Nian scratched his head and had to explain it to the young master in plain, understandable terms.

To put it bluntly, their daily job was to keep an eye on all officials, high and low, to see if they violated laws or were lazy or derelict in their duties. If they found any, they could memorialize the throne directly to impeach them, even high-ranking officials could be reported.

Besides that, they were also responsible for judicial oversight. When the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review tried cases, they could not only step in to review the cases but also raise objections if they felt the judgments were incorrect, and even help wronged people overturn unjust verdicts.

For a first official appointment, the power was quite substantial. Not only could they directly communicate with the emperor, but when impeaching officials, everyone would have to think twice. Although it was also easy to make enemies—supervising all officials meant standing against many people. A slight misstep could lead to retaliation, so he'd have to remember to stay impartial at all times; otherwise, he might fall first.

Overall... it was a pretty sweet gig.

Moreover, it was a fifth-rank appointment.

In terms of starting point, it was even higher than the sixth-rank appointments of the Zhuangyuan and the Tanhua.

Luo Qianyu didn't ponder for too long, bowing his head to express gratitude: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this great favor."

After the ceremony ended, officials gradually withdrew, and the crowd dispersed. Luo Qianyu was kept behind by the emperor, who asked a few questions about the coming-of-age ceremony from the other day. The Young Marquis thought for a moment but did not mention the matter of the Eldest Princess. Fortunately, the emperor did not press further.

With this delay, by the time he made his way out, the crowd had mostly dispersed. Just as the Young Marquis stepped out of the hall, he happened to fall into step beside Lin Jingyan.

Though inwardly reluctant, the youth still followed protocol and saluted: "Your Excellency."

Lin Jingyan's gaze lingered on him briefly before he asked, "How are the injuries on your shoulder and eye now?"

Luo Qianyu raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, sir. They're practically healed."

"That's good." Lin Jingyan merely chuckled softly, pausing briefly before changing the subject. "I haven't yet congratulated Qianqian on receiving an official appointment today."

Luo Qianyu pursed his lips, held back, but ultimately couldn't resist, saying angrily, "Who allowed you to call me that?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, as if suddenly remembering something, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He took half a step forward, lowered his voice, and with a hint of smugness, provocatively whispered, "Thank you, Prime Minister. However, from now on, please be more careful in your actions, sir. Although my position is only a fifth-rank one, its function happens to be keeping an eye on senior court officials. Even though you, Prime Minister, hold the highest position among ministers... it seems like it's practically made to be your nemesis?"

Lin Jingyan's steps didn't falter, his profile distinct in the morning light. Upon hearing this, he chuckled softly, "In that case, I welcome Young Lord Luo to supervise and report on me at any time."

"..."

Luo Qianyu turned his head away and refused to speak to him further.

Reaching a fork in the path, the Young Marquis, albeit unwillingly, had no choice but to bow and salute: "Prime Minister, farewell."

Lin Jingyan nodded slightly, but his gaze inadvertently paused on the slightly open collar of Luo Qianyu's robe, revealed as he bowed with palms together.

Within the gap of the robe, a faint mark was vaguely visible—a hint of red that stood out starkly against his fair skin.

It was a bite mark.